Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

mixed martial arts, MMA, MMA Pro League

Full Lineup Set for MMA Pro League Inaugural Event This Saturday, September 15 from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & Streaming Live on FloCombat.com

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Head Coach Dan Miller Leads Team New Jersey Against
Head Coach Daniel Gracie & Team Pennsylvania

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (September 11, 2018) – The newest entity in MMA, MMA Pro League, is just days away from their inaugural event with an exciting lineup of fights that pits fighters from Team New Jersey, which is led by head coach Dan Miller of the Miller Brothers, against Team Pennsylvania and their head coach, Daniel Gracie of the renowned Gracie family.

 

 

 

The fighters square-off this Saturday, September 15 at the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in bouts streaming live on FloCombat.com (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” are available at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

The MMA Pro League event will see Claudio Ledesma taking on Andre Bernardo in a bantamweight fight, Gabriel Ruiz in a featherweight clash against Cody Hier and a light heavyweight contest that pits Emmanuel Walo against Rafael Celestino.

 

 

 

Featherweight action will feature Mike Pagano in a bout against Zedekiah Montanez, plus Kevin Sears takes on Ahmed Samir in a heavyweight attraction and a bantamweight affair that sees Turpal Khamzayev battle Joseph Penafiel.

 

 

 

Rounding out the exciting inaugural night of MMA Pro League fights are Mark Kolker facing Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov in a middleweight fight, a lightweight showdown between Shan Cella and Francisco Muniz and a welterweight matchup between Justin Osborn and Andy Jimenez.

 

 

 

Ledesma is a native of West Orange, NJ and currently holds a 14-7 record as a professional fighter. Bernardo is originally from Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil and has a professional record of 8-4.

 

 

 

Ruiz fights out of Woodland Park, NJ with an 0-1 record as a professional fighter and an amateur record of 5-2-1 in the flyweight division. Hier is originally from Daison, MI. He later moved to Philadelphia to train at Gracie Gym. Hier has a record of 1-1 as a professional fighter in the bantamweight division.

 

 

 

Walo was born in Cleveland, OH and spent the first few years of his life there before moving to Liberia at a very young age. Walo eventually returned to the U.S. to join the United States National Guard and was stationed as a guard in an Iraqi prison. While in Iraq, Walo was exposed to mixed martial arts and quickly fell in love with the sport. When Walo returned home, he began training and made his professional debut in December 2010. He has accumulated a professional record of 12-2-1. Celestino is from Brasilia, Brazil and has a 5-2 record as a professional fighter in the Middleweight division.

 

 

 

Pagano, a United States military veteran, is originally from Fayetteville, NC. He later moved to New Jersey to train with Dan Miller’s Miller Brothers MMA. Pagano is also a trainer at the gym and serves as the head instructor for the gym’s Little Spartans youth martial arts and anti-bullying program. He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with an 0-1 record as a professional fighter. Montanez is a mixed martial arts fighter based in Pennsylvania. He has a 3-2 record in the featherweight division.

 

 

 

Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sears is an eleven-fight MMA veteran who owns seven wins after a strong amateur career. Representing his native Egypt, Samir won his only professional MMA fight by knockout and owns an 11-1 record as a professional boxer.

 

 

 

Bantamweight brawler Khamzayev was born in New Jersey and turned professional in May of this year when he lost his debut. He takes on Orlando’sPenafiel, who won a decision in his professional debut in April.

 

 

 

Kolker will represent New Jersey, but was born and raised in Alabama. He made his professional MMA debut in June 2017 with a decision victory. After amassing an amateur record of 4-0, Kamchybekov will make his his professional MMA debut on Saturday night.

 

 

 

A 23-year-old from New Jersey, Cella will return to action for his second professional MMA fight. Muniz is originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico. His preferred discipline is Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Muniz has fought five times in his native Puerto Rico, attaining a record of 4-1.

 

 

 

Osborn is originally from Tennessee before representing New Jersey. He emerged victorious in his professional debut in August. Fighting out of New York, Jimenez was 3-0 in amateur MMA bouts and will fight for the first time professionally on Saturday’s card.

 

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To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.

 

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

WOMEN’S FIGHT IS FIRST ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 36 IN PORTLAND, MAINE

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Portland, Maine (September 10, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the first fight scheduled for the event.  Catie Denning (1-0) will take on Taylor Thompson (2-0) in an amateur women’s bantamweight contest.

 

 

 

Catie Denning made her amateur MMA debut last February at “NEF 32” in Lewiston, Maine.  She dominated Chelsea Tucker (0-3) for three rounds on her way to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.  Denning is a member of Young’s MMA based in Bangor, Maine where she will once again train for her sophomore cage bout.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to step back into the cage,” said Denning.  “It’s been far too long and I’m hungrier than ever. I fully understand I’m stepping up to take on a tough opponent, but I’m up for the challenge and hope I can showcase all of my hard work since my amateur debut back in February.”

 

 

 

Denning’s opponent, Taylor Thompson, will be making her NEF debut on November 17, but she is no stranger to the New England MMA scene.  Thompson is undefeated with two fights under her belt in Massachusetts.  Both wins came by way of stoppage, including a first-round submission of Tiffany McCoy (2-2) last January.  Thompson trains with BST MMA & Fitness based in Mendon, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

“I am very excited to be able to fight Catie Denning of Young’s MMA on November 17 at the beautiful Aura arena in Portland, Maine,” said Thompson when reached for comment.  “She trains with tough people at a well-respected gym, and I am so grateful that she and I will have the opportunity to throw down for the fantastic fight fans of Maine. I have wanted to fight for NEF ever since I met Coach Eddie (Benjamin) and his team at Titan Athletics in Bangor and heard about the amazing fight scene that exists in Maine. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  The ticket pre-sale is happening now at www.AuraMaine.com with promo code “NEF.”  Tickets will be on-sale to the general public on Monday, September 10 at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF SELLS OUT BANGOR FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR WITH WILD MMA CARD

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Bangor, Maine (September 9, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) held its latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on Saturday night at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  It was the third time in as many years that the fight promotion visited the Queen City and sold out the venue.

 

 

 

 

 

The main event featured a bout hailed as the “Battle of Bangor” as popular locals Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) and Jon Lemke (7-9) squared off.  Lacey submitted Lemke in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

 

 

 

 

 

Hometown favorite “The” Ryan Sanders (17-9) took on Mando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-7) in the co-main event.  At the 4:10 mark of the first round, Sanders, the reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, forced Montoya to tap to a guillotine choke.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a successful night for the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine as Caleb Hall (2-0) and Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) were both victorious via stoppages in their respective bouts.

 

 

 

 

 

In the amateur headliner, Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Famer, 54-year-old Pat Kelly (4-1) put his lightweight title on the line against Massachusetts’ Ed Forlenza (3-2) in what Kelly vowed would be his final MMA fight.  Forlenza was able to score a technical knockout via referee stoppage due to strikes to capture the title.  After the fight, Kelly gave an impassioned speech, thanking his coaches at Young’s MMA in Bangor as the capacity crowd gave him a standing ovation.

 

 

 

Nostos MMA also shined on the amateur portion of the card.  The Somersworth, New Hampshire-based team went 2-0 as Zac Richard (2-0) and Andrew Brown (1-0) picked up wins under the guidance of Nostos head coach, and current UFC fighter, Devin Powell.

 

 

 

NEF announced its return to Portland, scheduled to take place at Aura on Saturday, November 17.  The event is titled “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold.”  It will be the final NEF event of 2018.

 

 

 

The full results of from Bangor, Maine:

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

 

Jon Lemke def. Aaron Lacey via rear-naked choke submission, round 1

Ryan Sanders def. Armando Montoya via guillotine choke submission, round 1

Caleb Hall def. CJ Ewer via D’Arce choke submission, round 1

Josh Harvey def. Jay Ellis via triangle choke submission, round 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Zenon Herrera via guillotine choke submission, round 3

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

 

 

Ed Forlenza def. Pat Kelly via TKO, round 1

Christian Barrett def. David Hart via TKO, round 1

Zac Richard def. Clifford Redman via TKO, round 1

Taylor Bartlett fought Jacob Deppmeyer to a draw

Shawn Costigan def. David Hills via TKO, round 1

Jordan Young def. Joe Howard via rear-naked choke submission, round 2

Andrew Brown def. Chris Lachcik via armbar submission, round 1

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  The ticket pre-sale is happening now at www.AuraMaine.com with promo code “NEF.”  Tickets will be on-sale to the general public on Monday, September 10 at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

mixed martial arts, MMA, MMA Pro League

GET TO KNOW MMA PRO LEAGUE’S TEAM PENNSYLVANIA

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Head Coach Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania Battles
Team New Jersey in MMA Pro League Inaugural Event Saturday, September 15 From Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & Streaming on FloCombat.com
 
Team Pennsylvania Talks Motivation, Fighting Style & More!
 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (September 7, 2018) – As the inaugural fight night approaches for the newest entity in MMA, MMA Pro League, get to know the fighters for head coach Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania before they battle Team New Jersey Saturday, September 15 from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and streaming live on FloCombat.com.

Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” on Saturday, September 15, featuring Team New Jersey vs. Team Pennsylvania, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Here is what Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania fighters had to say as they prepare to take on head coach Dan Miller’s Team New Jersey:

 

 

ZEDEKIAH MONTANEZ

Weight Class: Featherweight

Hometown: North Philadelphia, PA

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because it is what I love. There’s no better feeling than the rush of overcoming the uncertainty in a cage or ring with complete faith and belief in your ability.”

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“I always pay my homage to the fighters that led me towards this path. Boxers like Fernando Vargas and Floyd Mayweather. Plus, MMA champions like Connor McGregor, Michael Chandler and more. But I am my own self. I do take a bit of every fighter, shake it up and come out with whatever I’ve been working on.”

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I don’t try to focus on one solid background. I am a mixed martial artist now. I always keep an open mind, and try to dig into all aspects of the game.”

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“I’m excited to be working with MMA Pro League, and by the looks of it, everything is great! They’re a good up-and-coming, humble and respectable organization that’s trying to bring change to the game, and together the sky is the limit for all of us.”

 

 

What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?

“The whole experience of being from here. It’s where I was raised. My family and all of my ups and downs happen here.”

 

 

CODY HIER

Weight Class: Bantamweight

Hometown: Davison, MI

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight to give my family the things I never had.”

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“I’m a fan of lots of fighters, but my style is all my own.”

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I have a strong wrestling background that has led to my MMA career.”

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is the next big thing and I’m glad to be a part of the ground floor. It’s going to be a great ride.”

 

 

What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?

“The sports fans! There’s really nothing like them.”

 

 

JOE PENAFIEL

Weight Class: 130 lb catchweight

Hometown: Orlando, FL

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight for pride, family and money.”

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“Bruce Lee, but I steal from everyone.”

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I practice jeet kune do and have experience wrestling.”

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“Because they’re going to put together challenging fights and they have top-class treatment of their fighters.”

 

 

What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?

“I like the ladies and the Philly cheesesteaks.”

 

 

ANDY JIMENEZ

Weight Class: Lightweight

Hometown: Queens, NY

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because I have a passion for mixed martial arts and I’m a badass.”

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite MMA fighter is Georges St-Pierre.”

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“My fighting background is jiu jitsu under Renzo Gracie.”

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because I have a versatile background and I would like to portray this within the team structure.”

 

 

What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?

“My favorite thing about Pennsylvania is Renzo Gracie PA.”

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To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.

CBS Sports Network, mixed martial arts, MMA

CBS SPORTS NETWORK ANNOUNCES TELEVISION PARTNERSHIP WITH FINAL FIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP THROUGH 2020

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Publicity photo above – Orsat Zovko, President/Founder FFC (left), Billy Stone, Coordinating Producer & Director, Programming, CBS Sports (right).

First FFC event Premieres Live on CBS Sports Network Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 PM, ET From The Fight Dome at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

 

 

 

CBS Sports Network and Final Fight Championship (FFC) announced today a multi-year partnership to make CBS Sports Network the exclusive television home of FFC. The first FFC event premieres live on CBS Sports Network from The Fight Dome at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 28 (10:00PM, EST).

 

 

CBS Sports Network will air eight FFC events on Friday’s throughout the remainder of 2018. A champion will be crowned after each event with a belt as part of the national telecast.

 

 

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase combat sports on a National network,” said Orsat Zovko, president and founder of Final Fight Championship, “It’s an honor to partner with CBS Sports Network and nationally televise the new Fight Dome with championship-level fights to fans across the country.”

 

 

FFC events are composed of combat sports from multiple disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. All events will take place in the dedicated Fight Dome venue at Rio Las Vegas.

 

 

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

 

 

 

Respected international combat sports promoter, Orsat Zovko, launched Final Fight Championship® (FFC®) in 2013. FFC has since held 30 successful dual-discipline events comprised of professional kickboxing and world class mixed martial arts. Featuring marquis athletes such as Satoshi Ishii, Mirko Cro Cop, and Mladden Brestovac. FFC presents live sports broadcasts in more than 50 countries around the world, across four continents, appearing on CBS Sports Network (USA), Fight Channel World (Worldwide), among other sports and media properties. For more information on FFC, please visitwww.finalfightchampionship.com

 

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Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA, women's MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT BETWEEN  “SUPER MELY” MARTINEZ AND FRANCIS HERNANDEZ LIVE ON UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK FROM LONG BEACH, CALIF. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 28

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Below: Undefeated, 21-year-old knockout artist Melissa “Super Mely” Martinez (left) of Mexico City, Mexico will take on hard-hitting Francis “Hit Girl” Hernandez (right) of Camuy, Puerto Rico in the live, Univision Deportes Network (UDN)-televised, Combate Americas co-main event in Long Beach, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 28.  Photo credit: Scott Hirano/Combate Americas

FIVE OTHER NEW BOUTS ANNOUNCED FOR STACKED EVENT HEADLINED BY FIRST-EVER, ONE-ROUND
“COPA COMBATE” TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING BOUTS

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” on sale now

NEW YORK – September 6, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a women’s strawweight (115 pounds) co-main event bout between undefeated knockout artist Melissa “Super Mely” Martinez (4-0) and Francis “Hit Girl” Hernandez (3-2) for the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s live, Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast (12 a.m. ET/9 pm. PT) from The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 28.

 

The event, “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate,” will be headlined by the previously announced, first two-ever “COPA COMBATE” qualifying fights, the winners of which will represent their respective countries – the U.S. and Mexico – in the one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament that will take place in the featherweight (145 pounds) division on a November date to be announced soon.

 

An explosive Muay Thai stylist, the 21-year-old Martinez of Mexico City, Mexico has been on a warpath since she made her Combate Americas promotional debut on June 30, 2017, scoring a thunderous, second round (2:45) head kick TKO on Yajaira Romo.

 

In her last effort on April 20, Martinez dominated Argentina’s Ivanna Martinenghi for three consecutive rounds of action at “Combate Estrellas II” in Monterrey, Mexico before earning  a unanimous decision victory.

 

Fighting out of Little Rock, Ark. where she is serving as an active duty Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army, the 30-year-old Hernandez, who hails from Camuy, Puerto Rico is coming off an impressive Combate Americas debut performance that saw her submit (rear-naked choke) Shyann Farmer in the second round (2:12) of battle in Sacramento, Calif.

 

Also announced today were five preliminary bout card matchups for the “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” event, including a bantamweight (135 pounds) battle between Oscar “Jacare” Suarez (4-1) of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain and Carlos Ochoa (3-5) of Indio, Calif.

 

Elsewhere on the preliminary bout card, Dominic Clarke (11-8) of Los Angeles, Calif. will collide with Danny “The Realist” Ramirez (6-4) of Sacramento, Calif. at lightweight (155 pounds).

 

Undefeated Jesse Strader (3-0) of Lancaster, Calif. USA will take on “Handsome” Mario Navarrio (4-5) of Northridge, Calif., USA. In featherweight action.

 

In one of two flyweight (125 pounds) contests announced today, Heinrich Wassmer (6-3) of Highland Park, Calif. will battle David “Farmer of Destruction” Duran (6-4) of Whittier, Calif., while in the other, unbeaten Hugo Aranda (2-0) of Van Nuys, Calif. will square off with “Malicious” Michael Reyes(4-4) of Oxnard, Calif.

 

Additional preliminary bout matchups will be announced soon.

 

In one of the two, single, five-minute round featherweight “COPA COMBATE” tournament qualifying fights that will send the winner to represent the U.S. in the eight-man tournament in November, Erick “The Ghost Pepper” Gonzalez (8-2) of Redondo Beach, Calif. will face Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (14-2) of Roswell, N.M.

 

In the second tournament qualifying fight, the winner of which will represent Mexico at  “COPA COMBATE,” Pablo “El Gallo Negro” Sabori (8-4) of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora will collide with Alejandro “El Gallito” Flores (12-1)  of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

 

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino A Copa Combate” are on sale at The Walter Pyramid’s online ticketing platform, as well at Ticketon.com.

 

Doors at the venue will open at 6 p.m. PT on September 28, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.

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ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS
Combate Americas is the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, rapidly becoming the number two sport, after soccer, for Spanish speaking sports fans worldwide.  The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.

mixed martial arts, MMA, MMA Pro League, MMAPRO

  GET TO KNOW MMA PRO LEAGUE’S TEAM NEW JERSEY

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Head Coach Dan Miller’s Team New Jersey Battles
Team Pennsylvania in MMA Pro League Inaugural Event
Saturday, September 15 From Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & Streaming on FloCombat.com
 
Team New Jersey Talks Motivation, Fighting Style & More!

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (September 5, 2018) – As the inaugural fight night approaches for the newest entity in MMA, MMA Pro League, get to know the fighters for head coach Dan Miller’s Team New Jersey before they battle Team Pennsylvania Saturday, September 15 from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and streaming live on FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” on Saturday, September 15, featuring Team New Jersey vs. Team Pennsylvania, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Here is what Dan Miller’s Team New Jersey fighters had to say as they prepare to take on head coach Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania:

 

 

 

CLAUDIO LEDESMA

Weight Class: Flyweight

Hometown: West Orange, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because I love the sport and I feel I was gifted the ability to do it competitively. So I can’t let it go to waste.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite fighter is actually a blend of Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes. I look up to both of them as fighters and try to put a little piece of each of them in my game.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I’m a jiu jitsu black belt. Jiu jitsu is what got my foot in the door but now I’m a complete fighter and don’t really favor any single style.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“I love New Jersey. I was born and bred here. MMA Pro League allows me to represent my state!”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“It’s the diversity. Jersey is a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. I believe this state breeds the toughest guys around.”

 

 

 

TURPAL KHAMZAYEV

Weight Class: 130-pound Catchweight

Hometown: Clifton, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because it’s in my blood. I was born to fight and that’s what I do best.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“Growing up as a kid I used to watch boxing, and some of the boxers I really enjoyed watching were Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Prince Naseem Hamed. I also steal a little bit of everyone’s styles from different contact sports, because you can’t be a one-dimensional fighter in modern MMA.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“My fighting background is pretty much all aspects of contact sports. I’ve earned a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I have multiple grappling titles, multiple kickboxing/Muay Thai titles and three amateur MMA titles in two different promotions and in two different weight classes.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because they are doing something new. It’s something that has not been done before, having two states compete against each other to see who wins. It is also a little different from other promotions because in other promotions you just go and fight for yourself, but in MMA Pro League you have a whole state behind you, and all the pressure is on you because you don’t want to let your team down.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“My favorite thing about New Jersey is that we always bring the heat in any competition against anyone.”

 

 

 

KEVIN SEARS

Weight Class: Heavyweight

Hometown: Newark, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

There’s a lot of different reasons why I fight. The first reason was because I was a fan. I love the sport and entertainment, but the real reason why I fight is for my daughter and to show her you can chase your dreams and be great at something you’re passionate about.

 

 

 

I visited the UFC Expo at the first one they had in Las Vegas. It was a totally life-changing experience. I was just a fan of UFC and MMA, but when I went down there I knew that I was destined to be a fighter, gladiator and a badass.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite fighter more recently was Kimbo Slice, may he rest in peace. I did have a favorite fighter growing up, and yes, it was the one and only Georges St-Pierre. If it wasn’t ‘GSP’ then it was Tito Ortiz, just some all-around badass dudes.

 

 

 

Nowadays I really don’t follow fighting, but if I had to say my favorite active fighter fighting now, it’s definitely Jose Aldo. I’m an old school UFC guy from back in the day. Now I just see competition.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“My fighting style is just brawl and cause damage in there. I really don’t have a style. I go in there and try to get the job done even if it’s sloppy. You could say I’m emulating Kimbo combined with a wrestler.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is for me because it’s my next challenge and I can’t wait.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

My favorite thing about New Jersey is my Aunt Denise, my grandma and my cousin Jazz. They lived in Newark most of their lives. Those are my people.”

 

 

 

MARK KOLKER

Weight Class: Welterweight

Hometown: Mobile, AL

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I like to fight because fighting is one of the few things in life I’m truly passionate about and gives me purpose. Also fighting provides the opportunity for a better life.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“I don’t really emulate any one fighter. I try to pick up as much as I can from different fighters and coaches and mix them into my game.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I am a mixed martial artist and have been fighting as an amateur and professional for four years now.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“I am excited to fight for MMA Pro League because it is a well-run organization, and the opportunity to fight on their first show in Atlantic City seems like a great opportunity.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“I am not from New Jersey although I train there. I am representing Mobile, Alabama. My favorite thing about Mobile is that on the coast we are a family, and we are eager to show the talent we have on the Gulf Coast.”

 

 

 

SHAN CELIA

Weight Class: Featherweight

Hometown: Wayne, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight for many reasons. I have a lot of passion for this sport and am looking to become the best.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite fighter other than myself would have to be Muhammad Ali because of the impact he had around the world. I wish to do the same one day, in my own way. I watch many fighters and am always studying combat, taking techniques from all the greats in all combat sports.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I started in full on MMA, not one specific background.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because they are professionals and take it seriously just like me.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“My favorite thing about New Jersey is most people from here are blue collar, hard-working people, and it pushes me to chase my dreams.”

 

 

 

FRANCISCO MUNIZ

Weight Class: 140-pound Catchweight

Hometown: Caguas, Puerto Rico

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“Because I have a huge chip on my shoulder.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“I don’t have a favorite fighter, I just try to be me.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“Brazilian jiu jitsu is my style.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“Because they’re giving me a shot that I’m worthy of.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“It’s close to so many great things, like New York.”

 

 

 

GABRIEL RUIZ

Weight Class: Bantamweight

Hometown: Woodland Park, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because I love to compete and the rush of going out there to the cage and being the best man of the night.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite fighter is Rich Franklin. I kind of got my style from him. I just go out and fight and put my heart out there.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I have an all-around background, but I love to stand up. I feel comfortable anywhere though.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because we are taken care of and it has a lot of benefits that people are going to see both immediately and over time.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“My favorite thing in New Jersey is the people. We’re Jersey strong. Also, the food is great here.”

 

 

 

MIKE PAGANO

Weight Class: Featherweight

Hometown: Stanhope, NJ

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“I fight because when I was growing up I was picked on and bullied a lot. I had to learn how to stand up for myself. Also, later on in my youth I had to take care of my father who was very sick with brain cancer, which took his life in 2008.

 

 

 

Seeing my father go through his daily battles and frustrations made me realize I could overcome anything in life. My father was and will always be my hero. He was one of the toughest, stubbornest, hardest workers I had the pleasure of knowing and had the pleasure of calling my dad. Each time I step into that cage I know he`s with me.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“My favorite fighter, or fighters if I could merge them together, would have to be Georges St-Pierre, Dominick Cruz, Mike Tyson and Buakaw Banchamek. As far as emulating their styles, each has something I like within their fighting styles or fighter I.Q., but for me I like to be my own fighter. I never want to be a paper cut out version of someone else. That`s the beautiful thing about MMA, all these different styles can mesh into one and you can create your style how you want.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“I`m a wrestler, boxer and black belt in jiu jitsu under Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“I feel MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because they are starting their own chapter in MMA and I love being a part of it! I like the concept as far as team versus team and the way you can collect points for your team by either KO/TKO, Submission, or Decision. It definitely makes a fighter want to push harder for that big win!”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“The Pizza!”

 

 

 

JUSTIN OSBORN

Weight Class: Lightweight

Hometown: Mobile, AL

 

 

 

Why do you fight?

“It’s what I love to do. This is what comes naturally to me. I was born to fight, plain and simple.”

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?

“I’m trying to emulate the best Justin Osborn possible.”

 

 

 

What is your fighting background and style?

“Wrestling is my style.”

 

 

 

Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?

“They are giving me a cage to fight in and an opponent to fight. I’m here to fight my heart out and they are giving me a platform to do so.”

 

 

 

What is your favorite thing about New Jersey?

“I’ve never been on the East Coast before, so I’m looking forward to experiencing it.”

 

 

 

# # #

 

 

 

To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.

 

M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia, UFC

Fighting in UFC dream come true for M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov

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Sept. 15 at UFC Moscow vs. C.B. Dollaway

 

 

 

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 5, 2018) – Fighting in the UFC is a dream come true for undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov (11-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), who will make his UFC debut September 15, fighting on the UFC Moscow card at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.

 

 

 

Frolov recently agreed on short notice (2 weeks) to replace injured Omari Ashkedov against veteran American fighter C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway (17-8-0).

 

 

 

Fighting at home in Russia, the 26-year-old Frolov won his M-1 Challenge title belt last October, when he took a unanimous decision from Caio Magalhaes at M-1 Challenge 84. This past June at M-1 Challenge 93, Frolov made his first and lone title defense to date against Joe Riggs, who suffered a knee injury that led to a doctor’s stoppage in the second round.

 

 

 

Yesterday, Frolov sat down for a one-on-one interview:

 

 

 

How long have you working on a deal to sign with UFC?

 

 

 

AF: “My manager has been working on signing me with the UFC for a while, but until the last few days, we had no solid agreement. A few days ago, they finally offered me a contract and asked to step in to replace an injured fighter at UFC Moscow.

 

 

 

“I thought it over and decided it was a great opportunity to join the UFC, which I did not want to miss. I would not say this contract was a surprise for me, people have been working on it, so I was ready.”

 

 

 

How does it feel to sign with UFC?

 

 

 

AF: “I’m excited to sign with the best promotion in the world, but I know that my debut fight won’t be easy, I’m stepping in on a short notice just two weeks before the show. I was going to defend my belt in M-1 Global in a couple months, so now I need to cut weight fast. The most difficult thing is not just to cut weight, but afterwards to recover well. In the UFC, IVs are banned and you have to be extremely careful with supplements you take to recover.”

 

 

 

What shape are you in for this fight considering only two-week’s notice?

 

 

 

AF: “I was preparing for a fight in M-1 Global, so I’m in good shape. We are going to work on my speed now but first, I have to cut weight. Once in my career I took a fight on a short notice, I had three weeks to prepare and I won that fight by TKO in the second round.”

 

 

 

What do you know about your opponent, C.B. Dollaway?

 

 

 

AF: “I’ve seen a couple of C.B. Dollaway’s UFC fights, but I have never considered him as my opponent, so did not pay too much attention to him. There are many good fighters in the UFC, so I can’t say that I know a lot about my opponent. We don’t have not enough time to concentrate on him, so we’ll concentrate on me.”

 

 

 

When do you feel you can challenge the top UFC fighters in your weight class?

 

 

 

AF: “I’m not going to demand huge fights with the top opponents in the UFC. I’ll take my time and be ready to fight any opponent they’ll give me. I need time to get used to new conditions, tune up my preparation, and put in order the whole system and then I will be ready for any challenges.

 

 

 

“Everything is in our hands; nothing is impossible. If someone wants something badly, sets a goal and works hard to achieve it, he or she will succeed. I’m just a regular guy who had a dream to fight in the UFC and I made it. Dream big, set goals and achieve them!”

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

 

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Event:

Aug. 25 – M-1 Challenge 96: Mikutsa vs. Ibragimov in Saint Petersburg, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 Challenge middleweight champ Artem Frolov steps in to fight C.B. Dollaway, Sept. 15, at UFC Moscow

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  Artem Frolov (center) is the M-1 Challenge middleweight champion

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 4, 2018) — Undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov will make his UFC debut, stepping in on short notice to replace injured Omari Ashkedov against battle-tested C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway, September 15 on the UFC Moscow card at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.

 

 

 

“I am very happy for Artem,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein said, “but a little bit nervous because he accepted the fight on such a short notice, only two weeks before the fitht. I’m sure he will demonstrate his high level once again. I said it before that Artem is the second strongest middleweight in Russia, after Alexander Shlemenko, and he deserves this shot. Some may know that Artem was going to fight Bruno Blindado Silva, who defeated Shlemenko, and I’m happy to say that this fight will happen this fall.”

 

 

 

The 26-year-old Frolov (11-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), fighting at home out of Russia, captured his M-1 Challenge title belt last October, when he won a unanimous decision against Caio Magalhaes at M-1 Challenge 84. This past June at M-1 Challenge 93, Frolov made his first title defense versus Joe Riggs, who suffered a knee injury that led to a doctor’s stoppage in the second round.

 

 

 

A solid all-around fighter, Frolov has won 5 fights by stoppage, along with four submission victories and two by decision.

 

  Frolov (L) is shown here landing a powerful strike smack on Caio Magalhaes’ chin

 

 

American MMA veteran Dollaway (17-8-0), representing Tempe, Arizona, has been a UFC fighter for the past decade.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

 

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Event:

Aug. 25 – M-1 Challenge 96: Mikutsa vs. Ibragimov in Saint Petersburg, Russia
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CALEB HALL TAKES NO SHORTCUTS IN MIXED-MARTIAL-ARTS CAREER

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Bangor, Maine (September 3, 2018) – There’s no evidence that Easy Street exists in the world of professional mixed-martial-arts.

 

 

 

If it did, it’s safe to say Caleb Hall wouldn’t be able to find it, even if he were furnished the most precise global positioning system and the unlimited kindness of strangers.

 

 

 

Hall is wired to fight hard, fight often, and fight against the best available competition to give himself an accurate barometer of where he stands in the sport.

 

 

 

That won’t change this Saturday, September 8th, when he takes on C.J. Ewer in a lightweight bout at New England Fights 35: “Wicked Season.” The card will take place at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor with an opening bell time of 7 p.m.

 

 

 

Hall, 24, a multi-time state champion wrestler during his career at Dirigo High School, isn’t bothered that he’ll be taking on a hometown hero who has been a titleholder for the regional promotion. It seems he subscribes to pro wrestling legend Ric Flair’s mantra: To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.

 

 

 

“Whoever they offer and put in front of me is who I’m going to take on,” Hall said. “It doesn’t matter to me. It’s a big fight and it’s in his hometown. That definitely makes it more interesting.”

 

 

 

The fight is a natural pairing for two of Maine’s top pros. Each is eager to get back into the NEF hexagon, for opposite reasons, after their results earlier this year.

 

 

 

Hall handled John Ortolani, a wily veteran with main-event experience on his 20-fight ledger, in an impressive April pro debut. His game well developed from a double-digit total of amateur scraps, Hall earned a submission via the rarity of a Von Flue choke at 2:16 of the opening round.

 

 

 

Two months earlier, Ewer sustained his first loss in the pro cage by kneebar against Kemran Lachinov. He’s tough on home turf, however, as evidenced by a stoppage of Rumford’s Mike Hansen last summer.

 

 

 

“We have similar styles and similar games,” Hall said, “I try not to think about my opponent too much and just try to fight my fight. He’s a tough matchup no matter who he’s in there against.”

 

 

 

Since making his debut only a month after he crossed the legal age threshold of 18, Hall has carved out a reputation as a relentless, crowd-pleasing competitor who isn’t picky about his opponents.

 

 

 

That’s made life easier for NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson, who can always count on Hall being ready for prime time near the top of the bill.

 

 

 

“Caleb reminds me a lot of Devin Powell, our former lightweight champion. Devin most recently won in the UFC, the largest fight promotion on the planet,” Peterson said. “Devin got to where he is through good, old-fashioned diligence – desire, dedication, discipline and hard work. Caleb’s approach mirrors Devin’s. He’s not looking for the easy path to get where he wants to go.”

 

 

 

Everything else about Hall’s progression in the sport has been measured conservatively.

He toiled in the amateur ranks for more than five years, wanting to make sure that his acumen was developed and his repertoire well-balanced.

 

 

 

“I think I’m pretty well-rounded in every area,” Hall said, “My wrestling is still probably the strongest part of my game, but everything else is starting to catch up, like my submissions and my striking.”

 

 

 

Hall never budged from his amateur weight of 145 until moving up to 155 – historically NEF’s deepest and toughest pro division – for his shot at Ortolani.

 

 

 

He and Ewer are now jockeying for position in a class that provided great success for the likes of Powell, Bruce Boyington, Ryan Sanders, Jon Lemke and Jesse Erickson. Advancing to that fray would have been foolhardy if Hall hadn’t done things the right way physically and nutritionally.

 

 

 

“For me it’s been more about training and putting it on the right way. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I could still make 145, but this is a lot better for my body,” Hall said. “I was in the same weight class from the time I entered the sport when I was 18. It was a lot of weight cuts, but I was coming right out of high school wrestling where that was all part of it.”

 

 

 

When he fought at 145, Hall said his day-to-day weight when not in training was just shy of 170 pounds. He can now comfortably carry 175 to 180 between bouts. Less last-minute dehydration is necessary to reach the lightweight limit.

 

 

 

“He’s on the treadmill every day. He’s logging his training hours with commitment and focus,” Peterson said. “He’s living the lifestyle. It’s guys like Caleb that really get me excited about the sport, because they show us the best stuff that human beings are made of, and they give us a glimpse of what we’re capable of as people. If Caleb Hall hits the heights that he’s set for himself – and I’m confident that he will get there – it will be because he earned it the entire way.”

 

 

 

Hall appreciates the perception that his fight with Ewer is a big one in the NEF title picture and beyond, but as always he is eager to steer clear of the hype.

 

 

 

“I had a lot of confidence going in (against Ortolani), and that hasn’t changed,” Hall said. “I see every fight as your biggest fight, anyway. That’s just how I try to approach it. This sport has a small window.”

 

 

 

Three five-minute rounds aren’t much time in the grand scheme, either, although it’s a grueling grind when two action fighters such as Hall and Ewer are going at it.

 

 

 

Despite their first-round finishes last time around, Hall won’t be surprised to see this one venture closer to the advertised distance.

 

 

 

“We’ll see what happens. I don’t go in there thinking I’m going to take him out,” Hall said. “I expect it to be a war. It’ll probably go deep into the second and third rounds, and we’ll see who swims.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place this Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.